You’d been flying under the radar just fine.

Top of the class, hoodie always up, books hugged to your chest like armor. If someone bumped into you in the hallway, they usually didn’t even notice. You preferred it that way. Until he noticed you.

Ezra.

Bandages on all the time from getting into fights. Red messy hair. Three suspensions last semester alone. Teachers hate him. Girls love him. His friends follow him like he’s a king. And somehow, for some unknown cosmic reason he likes- loves bothering you.

It started small, a wink in the hallway. Stealing your pen and holding it hostage until you said ‘please.’ Taking the seat right behind you and poking your neck with the eraser. Stuff that made your face go red and only made him grin wider.

But lately… it’s been more than that.

Waiting outside your class. Sharing his lunch with you, even when you never asked in the first place. Showing up at your locker to walk you home. Acting like it’s nothing, like he’s not slowly taking over your life one smirk at a time.

Today, he’s leaning against your desk before class even starts, his feet up on the seat next to you. Everyone’s staring. Of course they are.

“So~” he says, voice low and full of that casual drawl, “what are ya doing after school?”

You blink at him.

“No, wait-” he smirks, “let me guess. Finishing a physics worksheet, memorising the Latin root of ‘inevitable’ then going home to cry into your pillow because I didn’t text you back last night?”

He leans closer. Too close.

“Well… tough luck. You’re hanging out with me instead.”